Indigestion or something else?

[Loueytb3]

I've got a pain under the left side of the ribs - came on suddenly this morning seemingly without doing anything to trigger it. It hurts more when I breathe in. It hurts in every position but it's worse on moving to the point of bringing tears to my eyes. It could be indigestion (although I've never had it there before) but how do I tell? I don't want to go to the drs looking like an idiot when it's something very trivial. I can't do anything about it until tomorrow as DH is currently on crutches following an op and can't be left alone with the dcs.

[Megbeth]

It could be your gall bladder. Maybe a stone has moved. I've heard that is very painful.

[holidaysarenice]

That's the wrong side for gallbladder.

It could potentially be something serious.
Especially if it is that painful.

Stop taking advice, which whilst well intended, is often wrong online and go to the docs. Take the kids/dh with u if needs be.

[Peachypossum]

How are you feeling now?

[Loueytb3]

Grumpy and in pain.

I'm glad its the wrong side for it to be my gallbladder. I had a lie down this afternoon and let the kids run riot. Its better when lying down and not moving. Its still very sore when I move around or take a deep breath.

I've eaten normally and have no other symptoms so I wonder if I've pulled a muscle but I have no idea how I did. If its no better in the morning I will go and see a doctor.

[MoreBeta]

Gallbladder would be right side going round to back and up to shoulder blade - so definitely not that.

You might have strained an intercostal muscle but of you are a in severe pain get thee to A&E.

[Peachypossum]

Can you eat? Does it increase the pain or hurt when you swallow?

I think you should get checked over in the morning :)

I hope you feel better x

[Loueytb3]

I can eat and it doesn't seem to get any worse when I do. It really hurts on breathing in a deep breath (or yawning) which fits with it being an intercostal muscle. Not in agony - doesn't warrant a&e. Just bloody annoying now.

[Loueytb3]

Update - pain still there yesterday so went to GP. GP thought it was likely to be muscular but then found protein and a bit of blood in my urine sample so diagnosed a kidney infection. I'm on antibiotics. But pain is worse today, and kept me awake for several hours last night not helped by DS3 waking up.

Now I'm wondering if its an ulcer. I've been to get some stomach acid meds and will see if they help. I have a feeling I'm going to end up going back to the drs

[lovepigeon]

I had similar pain to this and also occasional gastro symptoms and turned out to be a cyst on my spleen. GP had suspected gallstones so I was sent for ultrasound which is how it got diagnosed.

[Loueytb3]

Never heard of that before lovepigeon. How was it treated? Paracetamol and antacids having no effect. Bleurgh.

[hellymelly]

I don't think it sounds like ulcer pain, but that is going by family members, not myself, so I could be wrong. I had a kidney infection last year and it really hurt, and it took a while before the antibiotics kicked in, the pain gradually lessened rather than going quickly, also i felt really dreadful, I have never felt so ill, even with swine flu. I had a month in bed and lost a stone, it was ghastly. Do you feel ill, or is it just pain?

[Loueytb3]

Hellymelly - that's why I don't think it is a kidney infection. I've had one in the past and I was so ill. I've got no signs of infection - no temperature or feeling achy. Just the pain and now acid indigestion and nausea (which could be due to the antibiotics). I have no experience of ulcers so I have no idea what they are like.

[hellymelly]

Could you have a gallstone?

[Loueytb3]

Wrong side Helly. Gallbladder is on the right.

So the pain is still there unless I'm taking the painkillers and even with I can still feel its sore. Went back to the GP today, bloods are all fine and so was chest x-ray. She still thinks its muscular because the pain is too far across for it to be an ulcer. I'm not at all convinced because I have rampant heartburn now as well. But I am going to take the anti-inflammatory for another week and then stop and see what happens. Fed up of being in pain.

[hellymelly]

Oh of course! Duh. I wasn't paying attention, sorry. The pain does sound muscular, but all the other symtoms don't. The anti-inflammatories could be giving you the heartburn, they do that to me.

[Badvoc]

Beware the anti inflammations! They can cause gastritis which is horrendous and could be causing the heartburn.

[Loueytb3]

I know badvoc!! I have got omeprazole as well which is supposed to protect my stomach. But I stopped taking the anti inflammatory for a couple of days last week and my heartburn was just as bad.